GreenergyDaily

Feb. 5, 2026

Ford and China’s Geely are in discussions about a potential partnership, eight people with knowledge of the ongoing talks said, as the world's carmakers look to share heavier technology and manufacturing costs.

The companies are in talks to have Geely use Ford factory space in Europe to produce vehicles for the region, three people familiar with the matter said. They also have discussed the potential framework for shared vehicle technologies, including for automated driving, according to two different people with knowledge of the talks.

The talks centered on European manufacturing are more advanced, two people said. Ford sent a delegation to China this week to intensify discussions.

Talks between Geely and Ford have been underway for months, said five of the sources, who declined to be named because the discussions are private and ongoing. Reuters could not determine the full scope of the talks or if they would result in a deal, including for the U.S. market.

Geely declined to comment. Ford said: "We have discussions with lots of companies all the time on a variety of topics. Sometimes they materialize, sometimes they don't."

In addition to Geely, Ford has held discussions with Chinese automakers including BYD Co. and Xiaomi Corp. about collaboration, the Financial Times reported recently.

Ford has explored forming a joint venture with Xiaomi to manufacture EVs in the US.

Ford and Xiaomi denied to the FT that they were in such talks, while BYD declined to comment.